The protective shield over the Chernobyl nuclear reactor in Ukraine is no longer fully able to perform its primary containment function following a drone strike earlier this year, according to the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors reported that the steel structure, built to enclose the site of the 1986 disaster, has lost key safety capabilities, including its ability to confine radioactive material. Ukraine accused Russia of carrying out the strike in February, although Moscow denied involvement.
The IAEA emphasized that repairs are “essential” to prevent further degradation of the shelter. The strike caused a fire in the outer cladding of the structure, but the agency said the shell’s load-bearing components and monitoring systems were not permanently damaged, and some roof repairs have already been carried out.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said timely and thorough restoration is critical to ensuring long-term safety at the site. “Timely and comprehensive restoration remains essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety,” he said.
Environmental expert Jim Smith from the University of Portsmouth, UK, told the BBC that the situation is not cause for immediate panic. He noted that the most significant hazard would be disturbing radioactive dust, but stressed that the risk is low because the dust remains contained within the thick concrete sarcophagus beneath the protective shell.
The sarcophagus, constructed after the 1986 explosion, was designed to confine radioactive material, but it only had a lifespan of around 30 years. The protective shield, completed later, was intended to prevent radioactive leaks for the next century. The IAEA said its recent safety assessment followed the severe damage caused by the drone strike and forms part of ongoing monitoring of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure amid continued conflict.
Since early December, inspectors have been evaluating not only Chernobyl but also electrical substations critical to nuclear safety. Grossi highlighted the importance of these facilities, noting that they provide electricity for reactor cooling systems and for distributing power to households and industry. “They are absolutely indispensable for providing the electricity all nuclear power plants need for reactor cooling and other safety systems,” he said.
The assessment comes as Russia launched overnight airstrikes on Kremenchuk, a central industrial hub in Ukraine, underlining the ongoing risks to the country’s critical infrastructure.
The IAEA team continues to monitor the Chernobyl site and other energy installations to ensure that nuclear safety is maintained despite the threats posed by conflict and infrastructure attacks.
